Great things at Rallies

Bloomsburg Rally Highlights

Camped at the rally Tues, after the storm, to Sat morning.

After 9 pm, the earth blocks the sun and every campsite is in the shade.

Worked registration Wed, from 4-8, then bought lemonade right at the tent, walked west to the river and went right in with some nice kids from the town, they were enjoying each other and the rope swing. The people working under the tent and those coming through registration are rewarding to interact with.

The food vendors were wholesome and awesome, especially the family under the green and white striped tent, snowmobilers from a town a half hour away. They always serve at the fair in late September.

8 hr safety riding course on the mall parking lot Fri. had lots of free bottled water.

Walked around the place Thurs. late in the day, awesome music coming out of speakers in a house to the east, no, it was really a drum and bugle corp playing for the retirement home up the hill at sunset. Sounded great.

Hung out with some long time friends, especially Art H. from CT.

Easy destination, nice roads in and out of town to the south and east.

Ate with a wonderful elderly K1200LT owner with a couple years of riding with his wife left, he was alone this trip though. A weathered and able factory and farm worker whose eyes were the reason he was "on the clock."

Just few of the many.

177inthe70s

Was this rally HOT, of course it was.

But i try to live by the idea that all adventures take a few hardships to overcome to be great.

Like many have said, the National for me is pretty much an annual event (except the left coast, due to time constraints). I love seeing friends, new and old, visiting all of the vendors, riding in an area that may be new to me, and listening to wonderful music, stories, instruction about our passion.

And, i'm not working.... can't beat that.

Always a great rally!

I attended my first BMWMOA National/Internation Rally in 1981 at Loretta Lynn's Dude Ranch, Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Have been to 10 more since then and at least two BMWRA National Rallies.

Would have attended more except for work, health or family obligations

Enjoyed every one of them...sometimes in spite of lousy weather. I recall pitching my tent in freshly spread horse manure at Lake Placid, NY...my wife really enjoyed that one...setting up camp in the dark can be a hazard.

The rallies I enjoyed most and remember most were the ones where I volunteered to help out. I've done gate security, sold stuff in the Country Store, sold water and beer, done registration, sold 50/50 tickets and provided music for daily devotions and Sunday worship.

By volunteering I met a lot of great people (and a few jerks ) and learned to appreciate just how much work it takes to make these events happen.

A huge part of the rally is the trip there and home. I find the journey is what I really look forward to and a rally is a great destination.

The homemade peach ice cream at Johnson City.